Ghost Train
Ghost Train is a unique podcast miniseries from Colorado Public Radio about the people with a vision for a greener transportation system in Colorado, the challenges that kept much of that plan from becoming successful and the ideas that might help the region move forward. Hosted by CPR News transportation reporter Nathaniel Minor (“Since Columbine,” “The Taxman”), Ghost Train explores an everyday problem that many American cities face and takes a hard look at the possible solutions. In 2004, Denver-area voters supported one of the most ambitious transit projects anywhere in the U.S. The plan called for a sprawling network of new rail lines that would let commuters glide by traffic and help transform Denver into a world-class city. But now, an uncomfortable truth has emerged: The train lines aren’t very useful to most people and have done relatively little to shift how they move around the region. And a key route in that network isn’t projected to open until 2050 and will cost at least $1.5 billion to complete. What’s the best path forward as leaders look to ease traffic gridlock and meet climate goals? And will the problems with this ambitious rail package doom other transit projects?
Episodes
In 2004, Denver-area voters backed one of the most ambitious transit projects in the U.S. This plan called for a sprawling network of new rail lines that would help commuters glide by clogged roadways and transform Denver into a world-class city. But as train lines opened, some uncomfortable truths emerged: The trains aren’t very useful to most people. The trains have done relatively little to shift how people move around ...
With a brown cloud hovering overhead and a second-place football team, Denver had dreams of becoming a world-class city. But it wasn't until the turn of the millennium that it found a way to get there: trains. Part 1 of 4.
Hosted and reported by Nathaniel Minor
Editors: Erin Jones, Joe Wertz
Production and mixing: Rebekah Romberg
Additional production: Luis Antonio Perez
Theme song by Daniel Mesche...
Sam Chesser loved the transit system when he visited New York City. So Sam, like many voters, supported a vision he thought would make his beloved hometown, Denver, just as accessible. That allowed transit planners to spend billions of dollars laying rail track. But almost two decades later, who actually uses it? Part 2 of 4.
Hosted and reported by Nathaniel Minor
Editors: Erin Jones, Joe Wertz
Production ...
The Denver metro area's rail system mostly neglects the dense, walkable parts of the city. Why is that? And now, after we've spent decades prioritizing freedom in how we get around, is it time to change the way we live? Part 3 of 4.
Hosted and reported by Nathaniel Minor
Editors: Erin Jones, Joe Wertz
Production and mixing: Rebekah Romberg
Additional production: Luis Antonio Perez
Theme song by Dan...
After the lessons of rail, the Denver region might just be ready to move into a bus-centric transit future that better addresses climate change, air quality, and inequity. But there's one unfulfilled promise standing in the way: the Boulder train. Is it time for locals to let that go, or is there hope on the horizon? Part 4 of 4.
Hosted and reported by Nathaniel Minor
Editors: Erin Jones, Joe Wertz
Product...
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